Car-coupling.



PATENTED NOV. 14:, 1905.

H. DONNELLY.

CAR UOUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED 1 213.3, 1905.

r'l srarns Parana curios.

HUGH DONNELLY, OF LISBON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO MARTIN S. WELSH, OF LISBON, OHIO.

CAR-"COUPLING" Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14:, 1905.

Application filed February 3, 1905. Serial No. 244,001.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that LHUGH DONNELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lisbon, in the county of Columbiana and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in car-couplings; and the essential feature of the invention resides in the general construction of the coupling, which is designed par ticularly with regard to the provision of means for operating the device in a manner conducive to safety on the part of the trainmen in uncoupling cars. The structure of the coupling is comparatively simple, as is the operation of the same, and the device possesses other advantages, which will appear more fully hereinafter.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowl edge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompany ing drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coupling member embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 4 is a combined view of the hook, actuating mem her, and rock-shaft.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all. of the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Carrying out the invention, the drawings illus tratea common form of draw-bar 1, said bar being mounted upon the end of a car in the customary manner. The bar 1. is formed at its coupling end with a head 2 of hollow construction, and the bar 1 is also hollow for a short distance from the head 2 aforesaid. The outer end portion of the head 2 is provided with. a seat 3, which receives the hook of the coupling which cooperates with the head when the draw bars are coupled together; At one side of the seat 3 are arranged vertically-spaced lugs 4, and between the lugs 4 is pivotally mounted the hook 5, one of which is carried by each draw-bar l. The hook 5 is of special. construction, the pivot of the hook being indicated at 6. The body of the hook 5 operates in the hollow portion of the head 2 and is formed with a spiral cam 7. The body may be described to be inclined upon its upper and lower sides, this construction forming the spiral cam 7 aforesaid. The hook 5 is adapted for the usual pivotal movement customary in devices of this class, and in order to operate the hook the head 2 has mounted therein a suit able actuating member 8. The member 8 comprises a bar 9, which is provided at one end with spaced extensions 10. The extensions 10 are disposed one above the other, and the opposing faces of the said extensions are inclined to conform somewhat with the formation of the spiral cam 7 which is re ceived between the extensions 10, so as to be actuated thereby. The bar 9 is disposed in the hollow portion of the draw-bar 1, WlllC-ll is indicated at 1, and said'bar, together with the extensions thereof, is of suflicient weight to normally cause the device to gravitate in the hollow portions of the bar and head. The inclined portions of the extensions 10 (shown at 10) admit of free movement of the extensions along the opposite cam-surfaces of the member 7, and arrangement of the bar 9 in the hollow portion of the draw-bar causes the extensions to move in an ascertained vertical line of movement, the bar serving to a cer tain extent as a guide member therefor.

The hook 5 of each coupling member is normally closed, being held in such position by the actuating member 8, which forms a lock device, as well as an actuating means, in its relative cooperation with the hook aforesaid. The head 2 formed at its upper and lower sides with hollow boxes 11. in order that the extensions 10 of the actuating member 8 may have the necessary amount of vertical movement when being raised and lowered to actuate the hook 5. The normal position of the actuating member 8 is such that when the lower extension 10 rests in the lower boxing 11 the upper extension is in engagement with. the lower extremity of the spiral cam 7. The lower portion of the cam 7 is cut away with a straight vertical face 12, and above this portion 12 is a recess 13 of a size admitting of seating of the upper extension 10 therein. l/Vhen the upper extension 10 engages with the recess 13 or is in contact with the lower face portion 12 of the earn 7, the actuating member cooperates with the hook as a lock device to prevent opening movement Suitof said hook, all play being obviated. able means are provided for raising the member 8 in order that the lower extension will be caused to ride against the under surface of the cam '7, and this engagement will effect a pivotal movement of the hook 5 in order to throw the same open. The means for lifting the member 8 consists of a shaft 14, mounted transversely in the rear portion of the lower boxing 11, and a rock-arm 1.5 extends from the shaft, being movable in the lower boxing adjacent and adapted to engage the under side of the lower extension 10 in order to raise the actuating member before described. The shaft 14 is provided with a crank-handle 16, and the end of the shaft carrying said handle 16 projects to a side of the car in order that it may be readily grasped by a trainman without necessitating passing between the ends of the car to be coupled, endangering the life of such trainman. The lower boxing 11 is formed with a horizontal web 17, which projects outwardly therefrom in such a manraising movement of the actuating member causes the lower extension to operate under the spiral cam and effects a pivotal movement of the hook, which opens the same. The I ous manner.

car which is to be coupled with the car carrying the open coupling-hook is backed against the last-mentioned car, and the couplinghooks are forced into engagement in an obvi- The body of the hook 5 is of course struck by the contact of the coupling hook which cooperates or is coupled therewith and is forced rearwardly, effecting a pivotal movement of the hook and causing the actu ating member 8 to lower, since it rides down the spiral cam. When the coupling-hooks have been closed together in coupling relation, as above, the actuating members of each hook have been lowered within the lower boxing 11 and the upper extensions 10 of said actuating members rest against the lower face 12 of each cam 7 and positively lock the hooks. The actuating member 8 gravitates, of course, in the above operation and is thrown into a locking position automatically.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-bar, a hollow head carried by said drawbar, a coupling-hook pivoted to said head, a spiral cam projecting from the hook and operating in the hollow head, an actuating device cooperating with the spiral cam of the hook and mounted in the head, said actuating device comprising a bar and spaced extensions projecting from the bar and engaging the spiral cam upon opposite sides, a shaft mounted transversely of the head, a rock-arm projected from the shaft for cooperation with the actuating device to raise and lower the same, and means for actuating the shaft.

In testimony whereof I afhx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HUGH DONNELLY. 

